Beginner Reloading Manuals

I have a Speer, Lyman, and Lee. I don't care for how the data is laid out in the Lee. I prefer the Speer.

This is relevant to my interests. I'm going to start loading .38 Special and .357 soon.

I've been told the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook is good.

Lyman is pretty good, but really I just asked a lot of questions on the board and got things rolling.

The Lyman manual is partial to Lyman equipment, the Lee manual is partial to Lee equipment. THey both have valuable loading knowledge to study. Make sure you get the 2nd edition Lee.

Prowl around on Amazon and evilbay for older copies of "The ABC's of Reloading," and "Metallic Cartridge Reloading." They can usually be had fairly cheaply, and although they aren't great sources of load data, they are a gold mine of good informative instructional text on reloading.

I think you made a good choice on your manuals. Read all of them completely and you should have the basic knowledge to get started.

Good choices.

Modern Reloading is awesome. Hornady and Lyman get honorable mention too. I like the idea of a caliber-specific book in the mix also. Bravo, sir.

Thanks for asking our advice

DeadFlies said:

Good choices.

Modern Reloading is awesome. Hornady and Lyman get honorable mention too. I like the idea of a caliber-specific book in the mix also. Bravo, sir.

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ABC's is compiled of the writings of many different authors, thus letting you hear different styles and "voices" from different points of view.

Having many different manuals lets you get the different authors' perspectives, emphases andwhat one may cover lightly, another will cover in depth. Variety is good and "The ABC's of Reloading" offers it in a single volume. See if your library has several copies from different years. I hear that the ones from the '70s, '80s and '90s are better than current ones. But decide for yourself. Reading many will not be time wasted.

Lost Sheep

Lost Sheep

I second this.

Prowl around on Amazon and evilbay for older copies of "The ABC's of Reloading," and "Metallic Cartridge Reloading."

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I also really like the Hornady (usually hotter loads) and Speer load books.
The Hornady book also does a fantastic job of showing why headspace is so important (the front section of the book).

Remember, reloading is not really rocket science but there are REASONS for every step and precaution. If you have ANY questions, no matter how dumb they seem, then ASK and you will get help.

I often remind myself that it's a very small difference between a fine round of ammo and a hand grenade and that makes me go slow and methodical which keeps me out of trouble.

I've also become hooked on the EGW 4-hole check gauge for a "final check" of my rounds.

Be safe and have fun

Lost Sheep said:

ABC's is compiled of the writings of many different authors, thus letting you hear different styles and "voices" from different points of view.

Having many different manuals lets you get the different authors' perspectives, emphases andwhat one may cover lightly, another will cover in depth. Variety is good and "The ABC's of Reloading" offers it in a single volume. See if your library has several copies from different years. I hear that the ones from the '70s, '80s and '90s are better than current ones. But decide for yourself. Reading many will not be time wasted.

Lost Sheep

Lost Sheep

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I edited my post to remove the part about how I didn't like ABCs. It occurred to me just after I posted it that it sounded too negative and didn't really speak to what the OP asked. Good points, btw LS.

The Complete Reloading Manual for 45 ACP is a good book though long out of date in some cases. Now with that said I have one for each caliber I load and love them. What I did was cross reference the min/max loads for a given powder bullet combination and write it into the books. The are easy to open and keep open unlike the others. They also cover some bullets though not made any more many are cast not buy wildcat casters.

I have the Lee book but the 2nd edition, Lyman's 49th, Black Powder, Cast bullets, Speers and Hornady's latest that I just got. I also have about 50 pamphlets and magazine put out by the powder companies. In addition i have Laser Cast's reloading book and the ABC's of Reloading.

the very latest LEE is copyright 2013

Ask for the 2nd Edition, Revised.

The copyright date is 2013, according to Lee's helpline.